As we know, there are many people in Idaho that haven't really given the idea of a transgender candidate for public office any thought, because it hasn't happened before. Since the general milieu in Idaho is an uninformed one, we need to start a debate yesterday, not tomorrow, on what a transgender candidate would represent in Idaho if placed in public office.

I argue that Idaho would suddenly become a state of love and acceptance where no citizen would fear living. Transgender people are not trying to get your children to become transgender that is impossible to do. They are however trying to get your children to accept diversity. Do you want your child to only see within Idaho's borders? I think not. This is a very diverse world and your children more than ever before need to know how to operate in it. Given that idea it is time to debate this and transgender people need you to start that debate right away. Did you ever wonder why the African American population is small in Idaho? Let's shake the good old boy image by debating diversity. What do you say? Are you on board? Please reply.

With warm regards,

Melissa Sue Robinson

( Mayoral candidate

in Nampa, Idaho )